Friday, August 5, 2011

"Quilted Garden" - Coming Soon

The last couple weeks, I have done blog posts on my new designs coming out later this month at the TNNA Fall Needlecraft Market - I have already shown you "Moonlit Midnight" and "Pocketful of Peppermint"...and today the focus is on "Quilted Garden". This design model (which combines two of my favorite things next to needlework: quilting and gardening) is stitched on beautiful Pecan Butter hand-dyed fabric by Lakeside Linens and uses Weeks Dye Works Cotton Floss (DMC equivalents are provided). The entire piece is cross stitch over two linen threads, except the verse and the personalization (initials/year) which are cross stitch over one linen thread. I know some needleworkers will shy away from over-one cross stitches, so the chartpack includes alternative charting for these stitches in back stitch (there is an additional back stitch alphabet/numbers for personalization and an alternate back stitch chart of the verse)...so you can choose to do either over-one cross stitches or back stitch - whichever you feel more comfortable working! This design pack also includes charting and complete finishing instructions for a matching pin pillow and scissor fob. There are many other fun ideas that can be taken from this upcoming design - wouldn't a row of the quilt blocks make a great bookmark?...or you could easily make a needlebook, pinkeep, or floss ring tag using the quilt block motifs...oh - wouldn't the little quilt blocks make great magnets for a quilting friend?! I thoroughly enjoyed working on this design and have some other ideas for new pieces that would incorporate some of the same concepts.

You can get all the information on the three new designs by visiting my website - stitch counts and supply lists for all three pieces have been posted - visit the "Future" page or the "Designs" page for complete details! All three new charts are set to be released at the TNNA Fall Needlecraft Market next weekend...so look them at your favorite needlework shop in the coming weeks...

About Me

Needlework/Quilting is my passion, obsession, and career. Who am I? I am a private person....a self-proclaimed control freak...most times a perfectionist....beyond organized....super analytical....and a little bit obsessive compulsive. I have a deep passion for all things done with a needle and thread - a lover of fabrics, fibers, and textiles. I am an admirer of the creative, unique, and artistic.What will you read about on my blog? My needlework, sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery projects and ideas - things that inspire me - daily ramblings - and perhaps some insight into my design business.I started Blue Ribbon Designs in early 2004; I specialize in original counted thread cross stitch patterns and quilting designs along with specialty hand finishing of needlework smalls, custom quilting projects, and teaching needlework/sewing/quilting techniques.I absolutely adore my Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond, my Huskylock s25, and my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutters.I hope you will follow me on this journey...a creative outlet for my passions and obsessions.